I thought I would share some images of a happier time in Harput — the years Miriam would have grown up.

These are three views of Harput in 1890’s

This first picture is of the Armenian Homes around the Marketplace — showing how many homes were joined together making one consistent roofline. Most were two-three stories (Three stories if their was a shop at main level.)

Since Miriam’s father was a Merchant/broker it was likely they lived above the marketplace and would have been near all of their family.

The roof was considered community space and many families would gather after dinner and hang sheets to catch the breeze off the highlands.

It said that “someone was always playing music or playing games, the old men were telling stories of the day and the woman would be working on handwork.

This second image is of the Armenian and Greek neighborhoods with the highlands to the right and Euphrates College on the hill. Beyond college were the ruins of the 7 century fortress (right cliff) and the Turkish Mosque in the distance on the left.

This last one is a sketch by a traveling Missionary — it is of the Armenian “square” which would have been where farmers would have brought their carts of Olives, Cherries, Peaches, nuts, goats wheat and lamb for the butcher .

Often merchants would have thrashing houses for the wheat, Press rooms for the olives and storage rooms for the beets, potatoes and wheat.

Photos and more wonderful information can be found at www.houshamadyan.org